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Blue Archive Hikari & Nozomi Banner: Dates, Rates, and Strategic Guidance

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Blue Archive Hikari & Nozomi Pick-Up Banner: Dates, Rates, and Pull Strategy Guide (2024-09-23 – 2024-10-07 UTC)

Blue Archive rolls out a unique Pick-Up event this week, spotlighting Hikari and Nozomi—two coveted 3★ students—via Regular Recruitment for a strictly limited window. For strategists aiming to strengthen key teams or complete collections, this banner is a timely opportunity, as the return dates for these units remain undetermined. Competition with other premium banners and optimal use of resources, however, demand a careful look at banner mechanics, event timing, and currency planning.

In the wake of recent event banners and anniversary content, many players have depleted premium currency or are weighing priorities for upcoming launches. Here's what you need to know about the current Pick-Up, rates, and making the most of your pulls.

At a Glance

  • Banner Name: Unique Pick-Up Recruitments – Hikari & Nozomi
  • Duration: 2024-09-23 (after maintenance) to 2024-10-07 01:59 UTC
  • Featured Students: Hikari (3★), Nozomi (3★)
  • Recruitment Type: Regular Recruitment with Pick-Up rates; available only during banner period
  • Pity System: Obtain via Recruitment Points (200 per student); points reset to Keystone Pieces post-event
  • Duplication Conversions: Eleph or Eligma based on star level and method
  • Possible Rerun: Not stated in official materials; future returns are possible but not scheduled

Banner Schedule and Rates

The table below summarizes the official banner details for easy reference. All times in UTC; consult the maintenance schedule for region-specific access.

| Phase | Start | End | Featured Units | Recruitment Type |
|————————-|———————|———————|————————-|——————-|
| Hikari & Nozomi Pick-Up | 2024-09-23 (Post-MT)| 2024-10-07 01:59 | Hikari (3★), Nozomi (3★)| Regular |

Banner Notes:
– Each featured student receives individual Pick-Up rates during this event.
– Pulls contribute to Recruitment Points, which can be exchanged for either student at a rate of 200 points.
– After 2024-10-07 01:59 UTC, unspent Recruitment Points convert to Keystone Pieces (1:1 ratio).

Redeem & Duplicate System

Dupes from Pick-Up Recruitment and Regular Recruitment yield Eleph/Eligma depending on the banner and student rarity.

Duplicate Conversion Table – Pick-Up Recruitment:

| Rarity | Pick-Up Student (Eleph) | Other (Eleph) | Pick-Up Student (Eligma) | Other (Eligma) |
|——–|————————-|————–|————————–|—————|
| 3★ | 100 | 30 | 30 | 50 |
| 2★ | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 1★ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |

Duplicate Conversion Table – Regular Recruitment:

| Rarity | Pick-Up Student (Eleph) | Other (Eleph) | Pick-Up Student (Eligma) | Other (Eligma) |
|——–|————————-|————–|————————–|—————|
| 3★ | 30 | 30 | 50 | 50 |
| 2★ | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 |
| 1★ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |

For full details on rates and currency conversions, consult the official Blue Archive news post or in-game notice.

Should You Pull? Banner Value Context and Currency Strategy

For F2P and Low-Spend: Careful evaluation is essential. Banner-specific Pick-Ups like Hikari and Nozomi often fill rare unit niches—especially in team compositions for raids and high-end content—but their return windows are not guaranteed. Pull only if one of these students is missing from your roster and is key for your preferred content or club rankings. Otherwise, consider saving for known meta banners or upcoming collaborations. Remember that each pull earns a Recruitment Point, and 200 points guarantee one banner unit (hard pity).

For Optimal Account Growth: If you have sufficient resources and lack either or both featured students, this is among the few opportunities to pull them without awaiting an uncertain rerun. Consider the potential overlap with other seasonal Pick-Ups or event banners; timing may leave you short for future meta-defining launches.

Pity/Resource Check:
– Plan pulls carefully to avoid orphaned Recruitment Points. Points can only be exchanged for Hikari or Nozomi until 2024-10-07 01:59 UTC; unused points are automatically converted afterwards.
– Recommendation: Complete all redemptions at least 5 minutes before the banner closes due to possible time discrepancies across devices, as noted in the official event FAQ.

Teams & Synergies: Where Hikari and Nozomi Excel

  • Hikari: Fills essential support or offensive slots in certain raid compositions. Popular among advanced teams seeking flexibility.
  • Nozomi: Offers utility and synergy with specific high-damage or sustain lineups, potentially unlocking higher score ceilings in key content.
  • Both students have shown long-term usability in global performance metrics, though exact value depends on your current roster gaps.

For current best team builds, visit the EarlyGG Blue Archive Tier List and team building guides for recent meta analysis.

Event Rewards & Recruitment Point Usage

  • Recruitment Points: Earned at 1 point per student pull across both Pick-Up and Regular Recruitment.
  • Exchange Rate: 200 Recruitment Points for one of the featured students during the Pick-Up period only.
  • Post-Banner Conversion: Unused points convert 1:1 to Keystone Pieces after the banner ends; these cannot be used to obtain Hikari or Nozomi afterward.
  • Duplication: Recruiting an already-owned student during the event grants Eleph (for ascending existing characters) or Eligma, depending on type and rarity; see tables above for conversion values.

Preparation Checklist

  • Review your existing roster for synergies/needs around Hikari and Nozomi
  • Check premium currency balance; set a hard budget before pulling
  • Accumulate and monitor Recruitment Points; guarantee redemptions before banner close
  • Consult the EarlyGG Blue Archive Banner Calendar for upcoming events
  • Schedule pulls to avoid last-minute technical cutoffs; aim to redeem at least five minutes before 2024-10-07 01:59 UTC

Visuals & Accessibility

Future Reruns & Unconfirmed Banners

  • Official materials specify that Hikari and Nozomi's banners may return at an undetermined future date. Unconfirmed — subject to change.
  • No additional information on rerun windows or rate-up opportunities has been provided as of the current patch.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways and Looking Ahead

The Hikari and Nozomi Pick-Up event (2024-09-23 to 2024-10-07 UTC) represents a rare chance—especially for completionists or players seeking to improve endgame rosters—to obtain these impactful 3★ students via Regular Recruitment. With hard pity enabled and robust duplicate rewards, the banner offers substantial value, but only if it aligns with your strategic account plans. Carefully weigh current priorities against possible future banners, commit resources early to ensure priority pick-ups, and monitor EarlyGG's Blue Archive calendar for the next wave of content.

For additional team-building resources and updated banner analyses, refer to our in-depth Blue Archive guides hub.